– -Liturgy for Advent Sunday, November 30, 2014- –
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
-Isaiah 9:2
Prelude: Serve Hymn (Andrew Peterson)
Gathering Song: O Come All Ye Faithful (traditional)
Lighting of the 1st Advent Candle: Jesus Fulfills Israel’s Story
Call to Worship: (Isaiah 9:2-7)
Leader: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
All: For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
Leader: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
All: Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Adoration:
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Red Mountain Church)
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (Fernando Ortega)
Call To Confession: (1 John 1:5-10)
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
(time of silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon: (1 John 3:1-3, 16, 4:7-11)
Leader: See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
All: Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Leader: By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
All: In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Song of Response: Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Rice/Traditional)
(Prayers for our City, Offering, and Doxology/Word of Praise)
Hearing the Word: Matthew 1:1-17 (sermon audio posted separately)
Celebration of Communion
Sending: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Traditional)
Benediction: (Numbers 6:24-26)
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Go in that peace!